- A
OAuth 2.0 Client Credentials flow.
Why wrong: Client Credentials flow is for server-to-server authentication without a user context. It cannot act on behalf of a signed-in user.
- B
OAuth 2.0 Implicit Grant flow.
Why wrong: The Implicit flow is deprecated and does not support refresh tokens, requiring user interaction each time tokens expire. It is less secure than the Authorization Code flow with PKCE.
- C
OAuth 2.0 Authorization Code flow with PKCE (Proof Key for Code Exchange).
This flow is secure for web apps, provides refresh tokens for silent renewal, and obtains user consent during the initial authentication. It is the recommended flow by Microsoft for web applications calling APIs on behalf of users.
- D
OAuth 2.0 Resource Owner Password Credentials (ROPC) flow.
Why wrong: ROPC flow requires the user to provide their password directly to the application, which is not recommended due to security risks. It also does not work with accounts that have multi-factor authentication or federated identities.
Quick Answer
The answer is the OAuth 2.0 Authorization Code flow with PKCE, because it is the only flow designed for public client applications—like your web app—that need delegated access to Microsoft Graph while securely handling refresh tokens. By using Proof Key for Code Exchange, the flow prevents authorization code interception attacks, and the included refresh token allows your app to silently obtain new access tokens without forcing the user to re-consent, meeting the requirement for a single consent prompt. On the AZ-204 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of when to choose the Authorization Code flow over the implicit flow or client credentials; a common trap is selecting the implicit flow for single-page apps, but Microsoft now deprecates it in favor of PKCE. Remember the memory tip: “PKCE protects public clients from code interception, enabling silent refresh with a single consent.”
AZ-204 Implement Azure security Practice Question
This AZ-204 practice question tests your understanding of implement azure security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
You are building a web application that uses Microsoft Entra ID for authentication. The application needs to call Microsoft Graph API to read user profiles and send emails on behalf of the signed-in user. You want to ensure that the user's consent is obtained only once and that the application can refresh tokens silently. Which OAuth 2.0 flow should you implement?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
OAuth 2.0 Authorization Code flow with PKCE (Proof Key for Code Exchange).
The Authorization Code flow with PKCE is the recommended OAuth 2.0 flow for public client applications (like single-page apps or mobile apps) that need delegated access to Microsoft Graph. It allows the application to obtain an authorization code, exchange it for an access token and a refresh token, and use the refresh token to silently acquire new tokens without requiring the user to re-consent. This flow ensures that user consent is obtained only once and supports silent token refresh, meeting the requirements.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
OAuth 2.0 Client Credentials flow.
Why it's wrong here
Client Credentials flow is for server-to-server authentication without a user context. It cannot act on behalf of a signed-in user.
- ✗
OAuth 2.0 Implicit Grant flow.
Why it's wrong here
The Implicit flow is deprecated and does not support refresh tokens, requiring user interaction each time tokens expire. It is less secure than the Authorization Code flow with PKCE.
- ✓
OAuth 2.0 Authorization Code flow with PKCE (Proof Key for Code Exchange).
Why this is correct
This flow is secure for web apps, provides refresh tokens for silent renewal, and obtains user consent during the initial authentication. It is the recommended flow by Microsoft for web applications calling APIs on behalf of users.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
OAuth 2.0 Resource Owner Password Credentials (ROPC) flow.
Why it's wrong here
ROPC flow requires the user to provide their password directly to the application, which is not recommended due to security risks. It also does not work with accounts that have multi-factor authentication or federated identities.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the Client Credentials flow (which is for app-only access) with delegated user scenarios, or they mistakenly think the Implicit Grant flow is still acceptable for modern apps, ignoring the fact that it lacks refresh token support and is deprecated by Microsoft.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The Authorization Code flow with PKCE uses a cryptographically random code verifier and challenge to prevent authorization code interception attacks, which is critical for public clients that cannot securely store a client secret. When the application exchanges the authorization code for tokens, Microsoft Entra ID returns both an access token and a refresh token; the refresh token can be used to obtain new access tokens silently until it expires or is revoked. This flow is defined in RFC 7636 and is the standard for native and SPA applications calling Microsoft Graph with delegated permissions.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-204 question test?
Implement Azure security — This question tests Implement Azure security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: OAuth 2.0 Authorization Code flow with PKCE (Proof Key for Code Exchange). — The Authorization Code flow with PKCE is the recommended OAuth 2.0 flow for public client applications (like single-page apps or mobile apps) that need delegated access to Microsoft Graph. It allows the application to obtain an authorization code, exchange it for an access token and a refresh token, and use the refresh token to silently acquire new tokens without requiring the user to re-consent. This flow ensures that user consent is obtained only once and supports silent token refresh, meeting the requirements.
What should I do if I get this AZ-204 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This AZ-204 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the AZ-204 exam.
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